One of the guests invited by Representative Ilhan Omar was arrested Tuesday evening after protesting during President Donald Trumpās State of the Union address, according to officials from the U.S. Capitol Police. The incident took place inside the House gallery while lawmakers and invited guests were attending the presidentās speech.
Authorities identified the woman as Aliya M. Rahman, 43, of Minneapolis. Police said she stood up during the address and refused repeated instructions from officers to return to her seat. Officers monitoring the gallery observed her actions at approximately 10:07 p.m., describing the behavior as a demonstration that violated chamber rules. In a public statement, Capitol Police explained that all guests attending the State of the Union receive tickets clearly stating that demonstrations or disruptions are not allowed inside the chamber. When officers approached Rahman and instructed her to sit down, they said she refused to follow lawful orders, leading to her arrest.
Police noted that federal and local laws prohibit disrupting congressional proceedings or demonstrating inside congressional buildings. Rahman was charged under D.C. Code Ā§10-503.16, which addresses unlawful conduct and interference with Congress. After being taken into custody, she was later issued a citation release, which authorities described as standard procedure for similar nonviolent offenses. Rahman attended the event as one of four guests invited by Omar. The Minnesota congresswoman has frequently criticized policies connected to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, often highlighting concerns about enforcement practices and accountability. Omar has previously described Rahman as an advocate who speaks publicly about immigration-related issues. Rahman had also drawn attention earlier this year following a separate encounter with federal immigration officers in Minneapolis. That earlier incident became controversial after Rahman and her attorney challenged parts of the official account, arguing that her treatment during the encounter raised broader concerns about enforcement conduct and civil rights.
